I've been gradually fiddling around with my Strada to make it into an Urban Assault Vehicle. Street only so far.... I added an Altrider skid plate and took the opportunity to clean up the messy looking right side of the engine. Other mods include: SW-Motec center stand, RG Racing rear fender eliminator, laser cut luggage rack replacement (replaces the flimsy plastic OEM job), swapped out red Terra plastic panels for the original black, mirror extenders (now I can see something other than my shoulders), and several cans of rattle paint. And a set of Husky "H" graphics for the side panels. I got tired of the blasted oil dip stick and replaced it with a red anodized Ducati Performance screw on cap. I just carry the dip stick in the tool kit for when I want to check the level. I also installed a 14 Hands Steering Stem Plug (see cockpit photo and all will be clear). The manufacturer kindly included a bottle of Hot to Trot Washington State red wine blend in the deal, highly recommended. I got hold of a BMW 650X countershaft cover and sprayed it in the engine color to replace the clunky looking OEM cover. The final detail for this year will be to modify the seat by adding some high density foam in the front to prevent the forward-sloping wedgie the OEM seat gives me after an hour riding. I may try to salvage the stock seat cover and fill in the dip in the front. By the way, when you change the oil filter make sure you don't get the O-ring cocked sideways as it will pump out a whole lot of oil on the street. Ask me how I know...
I really like the front black fender. I think the original color is a little bit too noticeable (and not in a good way)
The picture was taken in West Seattle, close to Alki Beach. Not far from Salty's restaurant. The "H" stickers come from:http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Husqvarna-Sticker-Decal-Die-Cut-11-inch-vinyl-/160715506296
I know this thread's pretty old, but would you mind explaining what was involved with moving the electrics parts down around the engine case area to make it look so clean? Love how that black cover fits where it was originally designed to fit on the bmws. Nice job!
Hi teamkitty, When I removed the cover I could see that the voltage regulator has a very long wiring cable, as though it was supposed to be mounted somewhere different originally. So I removed the bracket holding the voltage regulator and horn, and relocated them to the front of the AltRider bash plate I had installed. I just drilled a couple of small holes in the bash plate and used nylock nuts so they would not wander off. I also put a couple of small spacers between the regulator and the bash plate so it stays nice and cool. Some other forum members have said that this location makes it vulnerable to mud accumulation, but it's not an issue for me as my bike is exclusively a street/gravel road bike. After moving the regulator and horn, I fiddled around with the remaining bundle of wires and was able to use wire ties to fit them all neatly under the black cover. I looked at a very old BMW F650 and it uses the same black cover mounted directly to the cylinder, just as I have done. Pretty amazing to see how long lived this engine design is, first built in Austria by Rotax, then in Berlin by BMW, then in China by Loncin. This week I finally removed the emissions canister and freed up a lot of room behind the radiator. When checking the clutch cable, it is chafed as some of the forum members have discovered, so I slightly re-routed it and wire tied a pice of vent tube around it where it comes in contact with the radiator. Since I had her clothes off, also swapped back to black panels just for a change.
I did a similar mod... I had already moved and replaced my horn, then Regulator is shifted to up inside the right hand plastics in airflow over the top of the radiator - cable is long enough with no changes. The black cover is fitted back where the Regulator holder was, using two fibre washers to insulate the plastic from the block heat. Neat and simple! Cheers, MH
Thanks for the replies, Mike and Mark. Glad to hear the wiring was long enough to facilitate the move. Sounds like a fun quick project to clean up the aesthetics while I sit around and wait for spring. I also removed the emissions canister and wrapped the clutch cable where it rubs. Great mods...
